ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
We have an older Police helicopter at our museum. We have the doors mounted permanently open and all surfaces have been cleared of any protrusions or sharp corners. Our exhibit has stood up to use fairly well for almost 6 years now, however the plastic windows have almost entirely been destroyed, we are currently in the process of finding a supplier to make us bent plexiglas panels to fit the curved surfaces. The foot pedal controls have also been destroyed and the joystick controls were torn out within our first year or so of use. One safety issue we have with our helicopter is that when climbing the stairs taller visitors have to sometimes duck to avoid the blades (the blades are rigged to a AC gearmotor so that they slowly spin), we keep them adjusted so they don't sag and as far as I know we have not had a problem, the leading edges are painted to warn visitors of their presence. If I could offer any advice I would just say to make sure it was in decent shape to begin with and make sure you can do whatever you can to make it "bulletproof" these machines are built to withstand all sorts of hazards but they were not built to withstand hundreds of kids intent on climbing all over the thing. I wish I could offer more assistance, good luck!
Cory Stahl
Central Media Technician
Union Station Kansas City, Inc,
30 W Pershing
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 460-2284
[log in to unmask]
________________________________
From: Informal Science Education Network on behalf of Katherine Ziff
Sent: Wed 9/28/2005 6:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Helicopter
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Despite the many differences between museums and playgrounds, for this kind
of project you may find the Playground Safety Handbook to be a valuable
resource. It lists all kinds of dangers, from pinch points to gaps that can
trap a head probe, and most should be possible to fix without losing
everything that makes a helicopter cool (and can I say how much I want to
visit your museum now?).
You can download the handbook at www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/325.pdf
On 9/28/05 2:35 PM, "Joanna Fisher" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Has anyone done an exhibit that involved adapting a real helicopter for use
> by visitors? What were the major issues, pitfalls, advantages, concerns,
> etc.? What kind of loading do I need for something like that? Who are the
> experts I should talk to? Please warn me.
>
>
>
> Joanna Fisher
>
> Director of Planning and Program Development
>
> The Children's Museum of Utah
>
> 840 N 300 West
>
> Salt Lake City, UT 84103
>
> 801-456-KIDS (5437) x113
>
> 801-456-5440 fax
>
>
>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
> Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
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--
Katherine Ziff
Manager of School and Community Programs
Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Road
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 339-3922
***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
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